What began as an initiative within the Ann Arbor Community Fund – spearheaded by some of the city’s well-known tech founders and venture capitalists – has now morphed into an independent 501(c)(3) organization with an emerging statewide focus and plans to raise a fund of potentially tens of millions of dollars to support nonprofits in Michigan.

While Ann Arbor has stood as the state’s main hub for high-growth startups seeking venture capital funding, it’s important to start “meeting founders where they are,” and that’s increasingly outside of Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan, said Trista Van Tine, executive director and co-founder of the Michigan Founders Fund nonprofit.

“There’s founders in Marquette and the U.P. There’s a huge group of new technology companies emerging out of the west side of the state,” Van Tine told Crain’s Detroit. “And for us, with that belief that Michigan is primed to – and can be – the best place in the country for high-growth founders, we need to meet them where they are and help to be that bridge between founders wherever they’re located in the state so they can create those connections.”

Assembly Intelligence, an affiliate of Detroit-based Assembly Ventures – the first transatlantic mobility fund in the world – has announced a new partnership with leading private transportation infrastructure development company Cintra, based in Austin, Texas.

The organizations will jointly focus on accelerating the development and deployment of technology-enabled transportation infrastructure. Through the agreement, Cintra will work with Assembly Intelligence to engage key sector leaders in critical dialogue around the future of technology transformation in vehicle connectivity, safety, and sustainability.

“Continuing to build transportation infrastructure the way we have for decades is a lost cause,” said Chris Thomas, co-founder of Assembly Intelligence. “The future of mobility will emerge around the next generation of infrastructure, systems, and applications. We are incredibly excited to kick off this partnership with Cintra both for their focus on the future of technology-enabled infrastructure as well as for the opportunity to work together alongside a firm with a truly global reach.”

Auburn Hills-based supplier, Nexteer Automotive, and Tactile Mobility have announced a software solution that will improve overall vehicle health management, safety and performance by detecting changes in road surfaces and tire conditions. This software can be integrated into a vehicle’s steering system, and will help enhance the connection between driver, vehicle, and road.

“Our new road and tire detection software highlights how we’re combining Nexteer’s expertise in EPS software and steering feel tuning with Tactile Mobility’s sensing technology and data analytics to improve a vehicle’s connection to the road and enable even safer, more reliable driving,” said Robin Milavec, President, chief technology officer, chief strategy officer and executive board director at Nexteer Automotive. “We’re excited about the opportunities that this new software can provide to improve overall vehicle health management, safety, and convenience for drivers in all road conditions.”

Nexteer and Tactile Mobility anticipate that applications of their latest software and data analysis breakthrough will reach beyond global automotive OEMs into adjacent sectors such as automotive insurance carriers, as well as municipal road maintenance and winterization.

• DriveElectric.gov – Information on all federal EV-related news and opportunities
• DOE Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding Opportunities – The latest notices and RFP opportunities for programs related to clean energy and lower carbon emissions
• H2 Matchmaker – An online resource to help hydrogen suppliers and users identify stakeholders across the supply chain
• Michigan Mobility Funding Platform – Test site deployments and real-world deployments
• Plug and Play Tech Center Detroit powered by AmplifyD – Resources for startups looking to reach OEMs and Tier 1 Suppliers
• Michigan EGLE: Charge Up Michigan – Opportunity to apply for funding
• Mobility Makers – Community of professionals dedicated to sustainable mobility
• Ongoing Funding Opportunities through NextEnergy

• April 12-13: CCAT Global Symposium
• April 14: TechCrunch Early Stage 2022
• April 28: Bamboo Detroit Mobility Founders Hour
• A virtual networking group for mobility founders sponsored by Ford’s Michigan Central Station. Email info@bamboodetroit.com for more information.
• May 9-12: Financial Times Live Future of the Car
• May 10-12: AutoSens in Detroit
• May 17-18: 2022 National Shared Mobility Summit
• May 18-20: TechCrunch Sessions: Mobility 2022
• June 1-2: Reuters Automotive Retail 2022
• June 8-9: AutoTech: Detroit
• June 14-15: Reuters Auto Tech 2022
• September 13-15: Hybrid and EV Symposium, an SAE Sustainability Event
• September 14-25: North American International Auto Show
• September 25-28: Brake Colloquium & Exhibition – 40th Annual
• October 4-5: SAE Thermal Management Systems Symposium
• October 18-19: Automotive & Mobility USA 2022

Bridgestone Takes Minority Stake in May Mobility | TechCrunch
Tire-making giant Bridgestone has taken a minority stake in May Mobility, a Michigan-based autonomous shuttle startup.

Bridgestone’s partnership with May Mobility will see the AV startup integrate Bridgestone’s predictive tire wear modeling technology into its vehicles later this year. Bridgestone’s in-wheel sensors and predictive algorithms monitor the health of tires, including tire pressure, temperature, and tread wear, which will help May reduce the total cost of AV ownership and improve fleet safety, according to a May spokesperson. Through this integration, Bridgestone will also gain insights into AV operations to improve its core tire products.

“Our future plans to integrate the Bridgestone suite of predictive maintenance insights will help ensure that May Mobility vehicles operate even more safely, efficiently, and sustainably,” Brian Goldstine, president of mobility solutions and fleet management for Bridgestone Americas, said in a statement.

Assessing the Impact of Automation On Long-Haul Trucking | Science Daily
As automated truck technology continues to develop in the United States, there are still many questions about how the technology will be deployed and what its potential impacts will be on the long-haul trucking market.

A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University assessed how, and where, automation might replace operator hours in long-haul trucking.

“Our results suggest that the impacts of automation may not happen all at once. If automation is restricted to Sun Belt states (including Florida, Texas and Arizona) – because the technology may not initially work well in rough weather – about 10% of the operat